Rajasthan Budget 2016-17 Highlights (राजस्थान बजट) : Rajasthan Chief Minister (CM) Vasundhara Raje present her 3rd annual Budget for year 2016-17 with a plan size of Rs 99,693 crore and fiscal deficit of 5.62 per cent. The budget, which includes the impact of UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna) scheme, projected a fiscal deficit of Rs 43,147 crore, or 5.62 per cent of GSDP. In her budget speech, Raje announced VAT exemptions for solar torches, biomass stoves, kerosene lamps, hurricane lanterns, kerosene wick stoves, kerosene pressure stoves, sugarcane, sattu, marble articles costing up to Rs 1,000, sewing needles, safety matches and camphor, among others. Items made by prisoners in jails were also exempted from VAT, while it was reduced from 5.5 per cent to 2 per cent on all types of yarn. She also kept DLC rates of agriculture, residential and commercial lands unchanged for the next financial year. The revenue deficit in 2015-16 was Rs 5,231 crore because of reduction in revenue due to fall in the rates of crude oil, drop in the state's share in central taxes and increase in subsidy given to power companies. Rajasthan GK App: http://tinyurl.com/rajasthangkराजस्थान बजट 2016-17 in HindiSalient Features of the Budget 2016-17:

1. Fiscal Indicators

Estimated Revenue Surplus/Deficit for 2016-17

Without effect of UDAY - Surplus of Rs. 198.01 crore

With effect of UDAY - Deficit of Rs. 8801.99 crore

Estimated Fiscal Deficit for 2016-17

Without effect of UDAY - Rs. 23014 crore which is 3% of GSDP

With effect of UDAY - Rs. 43147.24 crore which is 5.62% of GSDP

Estimated total revenue receipts for 2016-17 Rs. 123250.53 crore

Estimated own tax revenue for the year 2016-17 Rs. 53300.01 crore against Rs. 45670.01 crore in the 2015-16 RE, which is higher by 16.71%

Estimated own tax revenue for 2016-17 as percentage of GSDP is 6.95%

Estimated interest payment in 2016-17 is Rs. 17526.63 crore which is 14.22 % of total revenue receipts.

2. Economic Infrastructure Development

2000 kms. of Gramin Gaurav Path and missing links in 2016-17

4303 kms. road construction under PMGSY at the cost of Rs. 1618 crore to connect 1468 habitations with population between 250-350.

Completion of 2702 kms. of renewal of non-patchable roads at cost of Rs. 605 crore. Another 2500 kms. of such roads to be taken up in 2016-17 at cost of Rs. 600 crore.

VAT of 5.5 per cent on semi-stitched garments, 5.5 per cent on guar gum and guar gum powder, 15 per cent increase on all types of cigarettes, increase of 2 per cent in luxury tax on all hotels, except heritage hotels of basic and classic categories having a tariff of more than Rs 10,000.

DLC rates of agriculture, residential and commercial lands unchanged for the next financial year.